Malaria adalah suatu penyakit yang disebabkan oleh parasit yang termasuk dalam anggota spesies dari genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium knowlesi adalah parasit malaria yang ditemukan pada kera ekor-panjang dan ditemukan pertama kali pada tahun 1930 pada spesimen Macaca fascicularis dari Singapura. Pada tahun 2004 dilaporkan terjadi infeksi P. knowlesi pada manusia di Sarawak, Borneo Malaysia dan penemuan ini menjadikan P. knowlesi sebagai spesies parasit malaria kelima yang menginfeksi manusia. Plasmodium knowlesi dapat melangsungkan siklus eritrositiknya dalam waktu 24 jam sehingga dapat menyebabkan progresifitas infeksi yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan plasmodium lainnya. Transmisi P. knowlesi yang beralih menginfeksi manusia melibatkan beberapa faktor, baik secara demografis, lingkungan ataupun kebiasaan individu.

Background: Cigarette smoke is free radical that causing some pathological conditions such as inflammation, proteolysis, and oxidative stress. In previous studies, mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata) bark extract showed the potential effect as an antioxidant. Mangrove and mangrove associates are abundant plants that grow throughout Indonesian shorelines that have high pharmaceutical and food values.Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of Rhizophora apiculata bark extract in protecting pancreas of male white rat (Rattus novergicus) Sprague Dawley strain exposed to cigarette smoke.Methods: This research was an experimental study using a posttest-only control group design. Mangrove bark was extracted by using the maceration method. Cigarette smoke exposure was performed using an electric cigarette. Liver inflammation is assessed histopathologically.Results: Significant results (p <0.05) were found between the control and cigarette groups as well as the cigarette and bark extract + control groups. The results were not significant (p> 0.05) between the control and the bark extract + cigarette.Conclusion : The administration of mangrove bark extract has a potential to protect the damage of pancreatic male white rats (Rattus norvegicus) Sprague Dawley strains exposed to cigarette smoke

Background Chronic mucus hypersecretion is a common feature in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) activity. Aberrant EGF and its receptor signalling can cause airway hyperproliferation, increase in mucous cell differentiation and mucus hyperproduction. Furthermore, it can also promote subepithelial fibrosis and excessive collagen deposition in COPD. The objective of this research was to investigate the plasma levels of EGF in smokers with COPD in comparison with clinically healthy smokers. In addition, the relationship between the plasma levels of EGF and clinical features was investigated. Methods A cross-sectional study included 82 clinically stable male patients with mild-to-very severe COPD (mean age: 64.5±8.6 years), and the control group consisted of 86 healthy male smokers (mean age: 61.6±9.5 years). To define COPD, we performed spirometry and classified COPD using Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification. We analyzed the levels of EGF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma. Results The mean serum levels of EGF were significantly lower in smokers with COPD than those in controls (69.30 and 83.82 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.046). The plasma levels of EGF were significantly different (p = 0.004) between mild COPD and moderate-to-very severe COPD. There were no significant differences between the levels of EGF in plasma of spontaneous sputum producers (COPD patients) vs. nonsputum producers (p = 0.101) and between nonexacerbated COPD and exacerbated COPD patients(p = 0.138). Conclusions There is a significant difference in the plasma levels of EGF in male smokers with COPD as compared with male healthy smokers. Our findings suggest that the plasma levels of EGF may contribute to the pathogenesis of COPD.

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